Titans Fisher backs Williams' job in Buffalo [7:09 PM]AP reports:
'``Gregg's a fine coach and he's doing a good job,'' said Fisher, the Tennessee Titans coach and Williams' friend and former boss. ``This decision is in somebody else's hands. I just hope they're objective and look at the job that he's done there.'''

Humble Wycheck enters elite 500-catch club [4:00 PM]TitansOnline.com reports:
'As the Titans line up against the Buffalo Bills Sunday, Wycheck is bombarded with memories of what he calls one of the most joyous moments of his career. His lateral to WR Kevin Dyson in the final seconds of Tennessee’s playoff game vs. Buffalo nearly four years ago will stand out in his mind forever. The play known as “The Music City Miracle,” gave the Titans a 22-16 victory over the Bills, and will go down as one of the greatest plays in NFL history. “It was just one of the best feelings I’ve ever had in my life,” Wycheck said. “Every time we play Buffalo, it’s brought up. It’s just a great time to put yourself back in that position. I can remember it like it was just yesterday. It was such a great feeling and something just great to be a part of.”'

Dyson quietly having best season of his career [3:59 PM]TitansOnline.com reports:
'He has started in 42 consecutive games and is again tied for the team lead with four interceptions this season, including two returned for touchdowns.'

Conference Call: Bills head coach Gregg Williams [3:58 PM]TitansOnline.com reports:
'I would hope that I would be here next year but that’s not my call and I’m not worrying about it right now. My worry is the Tennessee Titans. If we don’t play any better than the last time we came down there, I may be stuck down there driving a cab.'

Conference Call: Bills LB Takeo Spikes [1:57 PM]TitansOnline.com reports:
'I think we’re still in the chase. One of the things that we brought amongst ourselves is just the fact that we can’t worry about everybody else. We made our own bed to lie in, so what we have to do is continue to do what we have to do to be successful week in and week out. Every game for us is a playoff game. It’s like we’re on pins and needles already. That’s why we take the approach that this is our playoff game week in and week out.'

Sirmon, Bledsoe trace roots to Walla Walla [1:57 PM]TitansOnline.com reports:
'Bledsoe and Sirmon meet each other on the field Sunday for the first time in a regular season game. It’s something that Sirmon is looking forward to. “It’s kind of crazy. I never really thought about playing against him until this year because we’re in different divisions and just don’t play Buffalo very often,” Sirmon said. “Our families were friends when I was growing up. A lot of people from Walla Walla still keep up with Drew and myself, so it’s going to be fun.”'

Tops Game Ball Winner: Travis Henry [1:56 PM]BuffaloBills.com reports:
'Buffalobills.com visitors selected running back Travis Henry as the Tops Game Ball of the Week winner for his performance against the New York Jets on December 7.'

Bills tackle Titans in Nashville [1:54 PM]The Sports Network reports:
'"At this point and time, it's just about our football team getting better, in all honesty. I've got my best friend in coaching over on [the Titans'] staff," said Williams. "It has nothing to do with anything other than our football team winning the next game. We have to go down and beat a very formidable opponent."'

McNair ailing again [1:53 PM]The Sports Network reports:
'The Titans have slipped into second place in the AFC South, a game and a season sweep tiebreaker behind the Colts. Tennessee is currently earmarked for a wild card spot, but only sits one contest ahead of the Miami Dolphins and Denver Broncos for the final playoff slot. The Titans can register a playoff berth this week with a win, a Miami loss and a Cincinnati loss or tie.'

Staying alive [1:51 PM]The Sports Network reports:
'"At this point and time, it's just about our football team getting better, in all honesty. I've got my best friend in coaching over on [the Titans'] staff," said Williams. "It has nothing to do with anything other than our football team winning the next game. We have to go down and beat a very formidable opponent."'

Reed enjoying a receiver's renaissance for Bills [8:53 AM]Buffalo News reports:
'"Earlier in the year people were downing him, but all he's done is stay steady," Bills coach Gregg Williams said. "He's stayed in his game and gotten better and better every week. He's gotten the confidence of his quarterback. He's got the confidence in our run game. He's got the confidence in our coordinator. He's just done his job, going about taking care of business. He'll be very productive before the year is out."'

MRI shows McNair cracked bone spur [5:15 AM]Nashville Tennessean reports:
'''When you crack it, it is going to almost be like a broken bone. Not that something bad is going to happen, it just may hurt and that is really the bottom line,'' Goitz said. ''So if you can manage the pain, it doesn't matter. ... Some people are able to suck it up so you can actually still perform but you are hurting.'''

Younger Titans struggle to keep confidence high [5:14 AM]Nashville Tennessean reports:
'No small item for the Titans (9-4), who are now fighting for a playoff spot with a 53-man roster that includes 23 players with two years or less of NFL experience, 29 players with three years or less experience.'

Good news for McNair [5:13 AM]Nashville City Paper reports:
'McNair, who is in a walking boot, probably won’t practice at all this week in preparation for Tennessee’s home game with the Buffalo Bills. The quarterback most likely will be a game-time decision. He has made 45 consecutive starts dating back to Sept. 2001.'

December 9, 2003

Years later,Miracle still legendary [8:22 PM]NFL.com reports:
"I really believe that that play catapulted us to the Super Bowl," Williams said. "It made believers out of us. The next week, we went out and won another close game. That was a direct result of having pulled out that Buffalo game."

MRI shows bone spur crack [4:03 PM]ESPN reports:
'An MRI on the Titans quarterback's ankle Monday revealed an old bone spur as well as a slight crack in the spur, ESPN's John Clayton reports Tuesday. McNair is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Buffalo Bills. He will not practice at all this week, and his status will be determined closer to game time.'

St. Francis High's Jerry Smith Honored As Bills HS Football [3:58 PM]BuffaloBills.com reports:
Smith’s club finished the season with a 9-2 record and captured the Monsignor Martin Association AA Championship. He was also honored at the Monday Quarterback Club’s luncheon meeting held on Monday, December 8 at HSBC Arena.

Bills Alumni Spotlight: Mike Montler [11:14 AM]BuffaloBills.com reports:
'"Since he was an old center and I was about 33 years old at that time, I thought he would understand my concern. We weren’t even talking money, I just wanted another two years. I’d never been hurt, never missed any games, never caused any trouble. I told Ringo I was concerned if it didn’t go well and he got fired, I would be a 34-year-old center and a new coach would come in and the first thing he’d say is ‘we’ve got to get rid of these old guys.’ I just wanted a little assurance. I thought Ringo would say, ‘Sure, Mike. I understand. I’ve been there before.’ Instead he said, ‘You’re playing here or you aren’t playing anywhere.’ So I just told him ‘I retire.’ Then later in training camp, he ended up trading me to Denver. I never figured that would happen, and then Denver winds up going to the Super Bowl. Outside of getting caught up in politics, I loved playing in Buffalo. The fans, the people. You just couldn’t get a better atmosphere for football than what they have in Buffalo."'

Bills' four-fold mission [11:12 AM]Nashville City Paper reports:
'If Steve McNair's mobility is limited Sunday, the Bills would be wise to test him and see just how well he can function on the move. Bills head coach Gregg Williams, as Titans fans know, isn't afraid to bring the pressure from anywhere in order to chase a quarterback, and McNair will be no exception.'

Titans' four-fold mission [11:11 AM]Nashville City Paper reports:
'The Titans have lost two in a row and haven't really played well in a month. They'll need a strong effort this week against a much-improved Buffalo defense in order to get back on track and build some momentum heading into the playoffs.'

This Is What I Think...... [11:10 AM]WOKR-TV reports:
'I think Gregg Williams has handled himself with more class than any coach on the hot seat in the NFL.'

Bills 'D' standing very tall [8:55 AM]Buffalo News reports:
'"This is obviously good to see our hard work pay off," he said. "It's nice to see the defensive pride be what it is and play with the effort and contact that you have to play to be a big-time defense. . . . Our defense doesn't hesitate whenever they have to take over on the field to go out and play and turn the offense away. That's their mentality right now and it's fun to go out and watch them play."'

Playoffs are faint but possible goal [8:54 AM]Buffalo News reports:
'If the Bills do finish 9-7, it is mathematically possible for them to finish ahead of the other four contenders - Tennessee, Miami, Denver and Cincinnati - for one of the two wild-card berths.'

Sullivan shows he has a future [5:18 AM]Rochester D&C reports:
'“I never lost confidence in myself,” Sullivan said. “I still prepared every week and tried to hone in on my skills. I’m a mentally tough person and whatever was thrown my way I felt I could overcome it.”'